To become a mental health counselor, a
master's degree is usually required for practice. Online degree programs
are designed to prepare students for licensure and teach them how to
treat children, adolescents and adults in communities and schools.
Friday, 1 June 2012
Online Mental Health Counseling Courses and Classes
Mental health counseling courses and classes
are offered in various formats, including on-campus, hybrid and online.
Students develop the skills and qualifications to identify and
effectively treat patients' mental health needs in a knowledgeable and
ethical manner. Online mental health counseling courses and classes can
lead to bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees.
Online Mental Health Counseling Courses and Classes Overview
Mental health counseling courses and classes are offered by many colleges and universities through their distance learning programs. Although the classes themselves may be fully online, students typically must participate in on-site field experiences or residencies to be eligible for state licensure.Mental health counseling courses are usually parts of a degree program, such as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Community Psychology, Master of Science (M.S.) in Mental Health Counseling or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision. Graduates of mental health counseling programs often find career opportunities with hospitals, private clinics or nursing homes.
Online Requirements
Students taking online mental health counseling courses typically need a computer with Internet access and a compatible Web browser, along with an e-mail address, CD/DVD player and printer. Software requirements generally include Windows 2000 or higher or Mac OS X, as well as the suite of Microsoft Office products. Students also might need the latest versions of a variety of plug-ins, such as Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader, Apple Quick Time or Windows Media Player.Additionally, students might have to purchase course-specific software and textbooks. They typically are required to log on to course sites at specific times for tests, assignments, lectures or group discussions.
Popular Online Mental Health Counseling Courses
Legal Issues and Ethics in Counseling Course
This course introduces the fundamentals of mental health and professional counseling. Topics addressed include trends in mental health and professional counseling, the counselor's role in social and cultural settings, counselor and client advocacy, counselors' professional standards of ethics, and philosophy and history of mental health counseling.Mental Health Counseling Introduction Course
Students learn the principles of the mental health counseling profession, including theories, philosophy and history, with emphasis on professional issues, credentials and the actual practice. This course focuses on professional competencies of mental health counseling and the role students will play as mental health counselors.Substance Abuse Counseling Course
This course focuses on psychological aspects of addictions, such as dependency on prescription medications, alcohol and illegal substances, with discussion of current research. Students learn various methods of diagnosis and treatment plans, including behavioral change. They also are taught to evaluate treatment methods.Counseling Skills Course
This course utilizes video and audiotape, role-playing and other training methods to help students develop skills that are useful in mental health counseling, including communication, sincerity and empathy. Emphasis is on using interpersonal skills to develop a beneficial relationship with clients.Professional Counseling Internship Course
This internship course is required for completion of most mental health counseling programs. Students are assisted in finding appropriate settings, including treatment centers, community agencies, hospitals or educational institutions, based on their field of concentration.Online Medical Transcription Degree Program Information
Medical transcription involves converting
voice-recorded medical data from physicians to written reports or
documents. Online training programs in medical transcription are
available on the certificate and associate's degree levels. Areas of
study generally include medical terminology, anatomy of the human body
and business English.
Online Certificate in Medical Transcription Overview
Through an online certificate program, students learn the skills needed to begin a career as a medical transcriptionist, such as how to accurately spell and edit medical information and how to use transcription equipment. Major areas of study typically include medical office procedures, business correspondence and keyboarding. Online medical transcription programs are common among community colleges and are usually self-paced. Prospective medical transcription students should be high school graduates with excellent punctuation and grammar, above average typing skills and competent listeners.Program Information and Requirements
Most online certificate programs are fully online, but some include a mix of distance education and on-campus classes. Students typically get their assignments, participate in discussions and submit their homework electronically. Therefore, medical transcription students should have computers with high-speed Internet, as well as access to common office software programs such as Microsoft Word. Upon acceptance into the program, students are given detailed information about how to log into the school's secured education platform and begin reading and completing class materials. Students should be comfortable working with computers and be able to type at a rate of at least 45 words per minute.List of Common Online Medical Transcription Certificate Courses
Certificate programs in medical transcription are designed to provide students with an overview of the field and train them on tasks such as coding medical insurance forms and transcribing physician recordings. The classes in a certificate program give students a basic understanding of the field, along with several science courses.Beginning Medical Transcription Course
This online course provides an introduction to medical transcription and includes the operation of word processing and transcribing equipment, proper conversion of medical dictation and an overview of medical terminology. Students learn the medical transcriptionist's role in the medical reimbursement cycle and examine the meaning of transcribed medical reports.Pharmacology Course
The online pharmacology course presents the basic concepts of pharmacology and the human body as it relates to medical transcription. Topics of study include dosage calculations and medication administration.Business English Course
This course addresses how to construct business letters, forms, client records and memos. Online certificate students learn how to organize written medical office communication by understanding proper usage of sentence and paragraph construction, grammar and punctuation.Career Information for Graduates
Students with an online certificate in medical transcription can pursue entry-level positions at hospitals, physician's offices and clinics. Many medical transcriptionists also telecommute from their home-based offices. According to Payscale.com, as of August 2010, the national hourly rate for medical transcriptionists with a diploma is between $11.91 and 16.71 per hour.Online Associate's Degree in Medical Transcription Overview
Associate's degree programs allow students to acquire new skills or build on their knowledge of medical transcription. Some online programs offer students the opportunity to explore one or more specialized areas of study, such as medical law and ethics, advanced medical transcription and medical office management. Students are often required to participate in an internship or practicum to gain practical experience. Most institutions require associate's degree candidates to complete prerequisite coursework in subjects, such as English composition, college algebra and communications. While this program is usually offered online at public, non-profit schools, students may also find it at private for-profit institutions.Program Information and Requirements
Many associate's degree programs are conducted completely online, aside from the required field experiences. Students are able to review and submit assignments, complete tests and contact students and instructors online. E-mail, chat and online forums are the most common way for students to communicate when enrolled in an online degree program. To help students get settled in their online program, some schools provide technical support 24 hours, 7 days a week.List of Common Online Medical Transcription Associate's Degree Courses
The course breakdown of an associate's degree in medical transcription program typically includes general education, core and elective classes. Undergraduate students also take courses geared towards finding employment after graduation.Medical Office Procedures Course
This online course provides students with a core understanding of the administrative duties that are performed in a typical medical office. Topics covered included coding and reimbursement, maintenance of medical records and guidelines on the release of health information.Medical Law and Bioethics Course
Undergraduate students taking this course examine the basic principles of law, ethics and bioethics in relation to the field of medicine. Areas of study include physician and patient relationship, legal terms and contracts.Medical Transcription Practicum Course
In this online class, students participate in a simulated experience as a medical transcriptionist to understand the work involved, as well as how to prepare for a career in the field. The course allows students to work from home and to deal with a number of situations that are common to medical transcriptionists, such as turnaround time and accents.Career Information for Graduates
Graduates with an associate's degree in medical transcription typically begin their careers in entry-level positions but are generally equipped for senior or managerial-level positions. The median salary for a medical transcription supervisor was $50,535 in 2009, as reported by Salary.com. Supervisors assign medical transcription work and see that they are completed accurately and on time. Some employers seek a minimum of five years of experience in medical transcription before hiring someone as a supervisor.Certification Information
After completing an online medical transcription degree program, graduates may opt for professional certification. While it is voluntary, many employers seek medical transcriptionists with certification. Trade organizations like the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity offer a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) and a Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMI) credential. Both certifications require passing a medical transcription examination, but CMT candidates must have a minimum of two years of acute care experience, while prospective RMI's require less than two years of acute care transcription work.Online Medical Technologist Training Certification and Training Info
Medical technologists are vital in the
medical field as they prepare and perform a wide variety of laboratory
tests ranging from pregnancy tests to disease diagnosis. They also read
and verify lab results to help physicians make an accurate diagnosis.
Medical technicians work in laboratories in hospitals, doctor's offices,
and other health care settings.
Certification Information for Medical Technologists
Many employers prefer to hire medical technologists who have received professional certification that demonstrates their knowledge in the field and their ability to perform diagnostic laboratory testing. There are a number of professional organizations that offer certification for technologists, including the American Medical Technologists and the American Society for Clinical Pathology.Most states require medical technologists to be licensed and in some states professional certification fulfills some of the licensing requirements. Associations offer certification examinations in general medical technology and in specializations, such as chemistry, blood banks and hematology. Examinations typically are proctored and must be taken in person, but some associations offer study aids and practice exams online.
Certification requirements may vary between associations, but most require on-the-job experience and graduation from an accredited medical laboratory technology program, which are available on-campus, online and in hybrid format. Usually, professional certification must be renewed after a specified amount of time and continuing education credits are often required to maintain certification status.
Online Training Options for Medical Technologists
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
While most states, employers and certification organizations require medical technologists to hold a bachelor's degree, some technologists begin their careers as technicians, which only requires an associate's degree. Online programs are often offered in hybrid format, which allows students to take classwork online and perform laboratory work on-campus. Often these programs require students to participate in clinical internships to earn critical hands-on experience.Sample Coursework
Online coursework typically concentrates on math and the sciences. Access to the courses requires an Internet connection, computer, updated browser and office software, such as a word processor. Student will focus their studies in areas such as:- Biology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Research
- Medical Reports
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
Some online bachelor's degree programs are designed for students who already hold an associate's degree in clinical laboratory technology or medical laboratory technology from an accredited program. These programs are tailored to build upon the skills that students have already gained through education and work experience. Online programs give students the freedom to fit their classes into their busy work schedules.Online classes are accessed through the school's distance learning website and require a PC and a high-speed Internet connection. Through the website, students can log into their class to receive assignments, access study materials and interact with instructors and classmates.
Sample Coursework
Coursework can be completed online through interactive training classes and students can complete program internship requirements in their local communities. Students study a variety of medical topics that can include:- Body Chemistry and Fluids
- Parasitology
- Toxicology
- Genetics
- Hematology
- Microbiology
- Medical Humanities
Online Medical Sonography Schools and Colleges: How to Choose
Clinical requirements for certification
prevent colleges from offering accredited online diagnostic medical
sonography programs. Students may find hybrid programs that will fill
their needs, however, especially if the program allows students to
complete clinical requirements at a nearby clinic.
How to Choose an Online School for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Program Format and Level
There are several different degree options for diagnostic medical sonographers. Normally, the only fully-online degree options are associate's and bachelor's degrees that are designed for students who are already certified as diagnostic medical sonographers. Hybrid certificate, associate's and bachelor's degree options are available for those who have no experience in diagnostic medical sonography and wish to enter the profession. Students should select a program based on their current educational and professional qualifications.Certification Options and Accreditation Requirements
Fully-online programs for students who are not certified as diagnostic medical sonographers are not normally available because, though there are no uniform licensing requirements for diagnostic medical sonographers, employers normally do not hire uncertified sonographers. Certification requirements include attending an accredited degree program and completing a required amount of supervised clinical practice. Students whose schedules do not permit full-time enrollment in an on-campus program should look for schools that provide hybrid options with online coursework and the option to complete clinical practice at a local site.Online Programs Available to Diagnostic Medical Sonography Students
Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Two types of associate's degree programs for diagnostic medical sonographers have online components. Fully-online associate's degree programs allow those who have already completed a certificate program in diagnostic medical sonography to gain their associate's degree while simultaneously working. Hybrid programs are designed for those who have no prior medical experience and are not yet certified as medical sonographers. Students take classes online and complete clinical education components at a site near their home.Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Online bachelor's degrees in diagnostic medical sonography are normally designed to give students who already have associate's degrees or certificates in diagnostic medical sonography the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree while still working full-time as a professional sonography technician. Normally, prerequisites for entry into the program include proof that a student has already been certified as a diagnostic medical sonographer. Students take classes on topics related to sonography and complete a general education curriculum.Online Medical Sonography Degree Program Information
Associate's and Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
degree programs in medical sonography are available online, but the
programs usually require a clinical component that must be fulfilled at a
hospital. Although both degree programs prepare students to work as
diagnostic medical sonographers, the bachelor's degree program allows
graduates to assume more advanced positions upon entering the field.
Associate's Degree in Medical Sonography Overview
Online universities offer both Associate of Science (A.S.) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in medical sonography. Students learn the clinical skills needed to properly view the internal structures and organs of the body through ultrasound devices. The program requires a strong knowledge of anatomy, science and math. Because sonographers work directly with patients, it's important to develop strong interpersonal skills.Most programs require students to have their high school diploma or GED. Many online universities also expect students to have completed health sciences coursework or to have had prior experience working in the medical field.
Program Information and Requirements
The medical sonography associate's degree program shows students the correct sonographic methods for viewing four main parts of the human body, the cardiovascular system, the abdominal region, the vascular system and the gynecological region. The associate's program takes about one to two years to complete, depending on whether the school requires students to already hold postsecondary experience before starting the degree program.The online medical sonography program usually requires an on-site clinical component. Students are required to assist at a nearby hospital or clinic under the supervision of a skilled sonographer who has volunteered to mentor the student and assess his or her progress in the field.
List of Common Medical Sonography Courses
The online associate's degree program in medical sonography introduces students to the basics of sonography and provides them with specialized instruction on ultrasound practices for each section of the human body. Students gain experience in treating patients during the clinical portion of the program.Patient Care Course
This class emphasizes maintaining a friendly and open discourse with patients since communication is the key to alleviating any fears of the sonographic procedure. Various legal issues are also discussed, including maintaining patient confidentiality. Students are able to watch streaming video and learn techniques to interact with patients.Obstretrical and Gynecological Sonography Course
Students learn how to properly sonograph female reproductive organs, usually during the course of pregnancy, to detect any abnormal patterns in the body. Students also must determine what course of action should be taken based on any irregularities seen in the results.Human Anatomy Course
The course requires students to memorize the correct terminologies and placement of the human organs, particularly in the abdominal region. Students must learn to recognize these anatomical structures through pictures online.Medical Sonography Career Information
The vast majority of medical sonography associate's degree graduates go on to become diagnostic medical sonographers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that diagnostic medical sonographers earned an average salary of $63,640 in 2009 (www.bls.gov).The BLS also predicts that diagnostic medical sonography positions will rise 18% from 2008-2018, which is well above the average of other employment sectors. This is due in part to the increasing preference of diagnostic sonographic methods over more potentially dangerous radiological procedures.
Continuing Education and Licensure Information
There is typically no specific licensure needed to become a sonographer once a student has graduated from the associate's degree program. Graduates might want to apply to the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) to earn certification in the field, which requires passing an ARDMS exam.Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Sonography Overview
Online B.S. degree programs in medical sonography teach students many of the same skills that the associate's degree does, but earning the more advanced degree allows graduates to begin work at a higher salary and possibly take on managerial positions at hospitals or clinics. Most programs require students to have an associate's degree in sonography or in a related health sciences field.Some programs also require registration with the ARDMS before entering the bachelor's degree program. The application process for a bachelor's degree program usually includes sending multiple recommendation forms, and some students must pass an entrance exam before receiving admittance into the program.
Program Information and Requirements
The program usually take two years to finish, since most schools require students to already hold their associate's degree. Students continue learning about sonographic techniques, but they usually begin specialized study in a particular area, such as cardiovascular sonography.Like the associate's degree program, schools usually require students to participate in on-site clinical experiences. While many universities try to accommodate students by letting them practice at a nearby clinic or hospital close to their home, some require students to travel to an orientation on campus before beginning the program.
List of Common Medical Sonography Courses
Medical sonography courses are taught through readings and online lectures, but the most important component of learning comes when students apply the coursework to real clinical practice. Working with one of the hospital's sonographers, students gain hands-on experience in their chosen field of specialization.Ultrasound Physics Course
Students are presented with mathematical problems based on the instrumentation of ultrasound scans. Particular focus is placed on exploring the types of wavelengths produced by sonographic devices.Cardiovascular Sonography Course
The course instructs students on how to evaluate sonographs of the chest to look for proper blood flow of the heart and its valves. Students also must detect blockages or other issues with the heart's blood vessels. Opportunities are available to view images through e-mails or other online resources and begin recognizing abnormalities in this area.Abdominal Sonography Course
Students must successfully sonograph various organs and systems in the human body, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas. The class also teaches students the correct functions and appearances of these structures, so that they can detect abnormalities or pathologies.Medical Sonography Career Information
Graduates of the medical sonography bachelor's degree program usually enter employment as diagnostic medical sonographers. Earning a bachelor's degree allows graduates to advance into managerial positions within their field. The BLS reports that medical and health services managers earned an average salary of approximately $90,000 in 2009.Continuing Education and Licensure Information
Bachelor's degree graduates would want to apply to the ARDMS to become a registered diagnostic medical sonographer, if they wish to advance within the field. However, most students must already earn this registration before they can begin the bachelor's degree program.Online Medical Secretary Schools: How to Find and Choose
Medical secretary programs are available
online for distance-learning students. Schools offer diplomas and
associate degrees; so choosing a school will depend upon the level of
degree available and the long-term educational and professional goals of
the student.
How to Find and Choose an Online Medical Secretary School
Award Level
Prospective medical secretaries need to consider whether they want to enroll in a diploma or degree program. A diploma can take about one year to complete, while an associate degree can be completed in two years and requires general education requirements. Diploma programs do prepare graduates for entry-level employment, but employers may prefer applicants who have an associate degree in the field.Transfer Opportunities
Another consideration when searching for a medical secretary school is the school's transfer opportunities. Students, who are ultimately seeking a bachelor's in health care management, may want to earn a medical secretary associate degree and then transfer to a 4-year school. Students should make sure that potential schools offer accredited, transferrable college credit and academic counselors to help them meet transfer requirements.List of Online Medical Secretary Degrees
Online Medical Secretary Diploma
Depending on the school, a medical secretary diploma requires approximately 35-40 credit hours to complete. Students study basic keyboarding, word processing and business communications. A focus is also placed on medical office procedures, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. Courses may also cover topics involving medical insurance and coding, medical transcription and customer service in the medical environment.Online Medical Secretary Associate of Applied Science Degree
An online medical secretary AAS degree generally requires the completion of 60-65 credit hours. This 2-year degree program incorporates various general education requirements, including math, science, history, humanities and English. In addition to general education courses, the coursework for an AAS degree is very similar to that of a diploma program; however, associate programs also offer courses in supervisory management, pathophysiology, pharmacology, information resource management and microcomputer business applications.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)